As we look back on our Savior, we see that our Lord had all the qualities that every world leader would idolize. He took five loaves of bread and fed a multitude of people and had twelve basketfulls left, He walked on the stormy waters of the sea. He touched the eyes of the bind and instantly they could see. When he spoke, the dead came to life. He was brave as he faced men possessed with many devils.

Jesus was a carpenter's son, raised in poverty, as many world leaders. With all the qualities Jesus had, it seems he would have been the most popular leader of all times. Instead, he was rejected. He was rejected because he didn't want approval of the people. He chose instead the road to Calvary. He chose to offer them salvation, Jesus chose to give his own body and blood for the salvation of the whole human race.

Reading from Matthew 16:24-25, "Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."' Had he not chosen the road to Calvary, we would be a people separated from God, without hope beyond this present world.

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 13, p. 388
July 4, 1991